The European Union is giving an additional €37 million in humanitarian aid to help Lebanon deal with the massive numbers of Syrians sheltering in the country. This is part of a new package of €136 million in funding for the Syria crisis, both inside Syria and in neighboring countries.
The new funding was announced while the Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, Christos Stylianides, and Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Johannes Hahn, were on a joint visit to Lebanon and Jordan to discuss the needs of Syrian refugees and the impact the crisis is having on Syria’s neighbors.
Commissioner Stylianides said: “Lebanon has been bearing the biggest burden of the refugee outflow, and I commend the government and the Lebanese people for their generosity, in spite of the enormous costs and challenges. This extra funding will help cover basic needs for the most vulnerable refugees in Lebanon, especially those who don’t have proper shelter and heating to cope with the extreme winter cold”.
In Lebanon, both Commissioners met government ministers and representatives of the organizations which are providing life-saving assistance to refugees with EU support. While commending the government for continuing to host refugees, they have also raised concerns about the border restrictions and new entry regulations that could make it harder for Syrians fleeing violence to find safety in Lebanon. (Source: Syrian Coalition + Agencies)
